An insider’s guide to Rowington

A proper village.

Let’s start with the pub. Everything’s better when you start at the pub. Now, this is no normal pub, it is The Tom O’ The Wood, a pub from Carlsberg adverts where the welcome is warm and the landlady knows everyone’s “usual”.  Sitting sweetly next to the canal, The Tom is run by Chris and Charlie, with a little bit of help from their trusty lab Boris. Charlie is the landlady and Chris the chef, together they form a friendly and formidable team. So next time you are walking past The Tom, pop in for a pint, and we guarantee that you are still there several hours later.

From The Tom walk up to Mill lane and slowly make your way down this secluded road. The reason you should walk slowly is so you can look in at the stunning properties and dream of what would be like if you lived here. It’s so peaceful and so beautiful that you will be jumping onto Rightmove to check out property prices. At Rowington Green, cross the road and pop into the Club for another drink and a catch up with the chatty locals. If it’s a Saturday then you will be graced with the sight of some typical village cricket. The manicured ground is like looking a a story book but the standard of cricket is usually like reading a coming, especially of the 2nd XI are playing!

A cracking pub. An idyllic cricket ground. Lovely people.

If you have your walking boots on and the sun is shining, there is no better place to be than Rowington. The endless countryside walks towards Packwood House bring joy to even the hardest of hearts. Or you can stroll down the canal to Lapworth, where you must pop into The Navi or The Boot for yet another drink.

The social calendar in the village is packed throughout the year. Highlights include the annual show and the flower show at the village hall. If you manage to get in with the right people there is a Rowington Ball, which is raucous and refined in equal measure.

• Closest village/town: Lapworth, Shrewley & Lowsonford
• Stores: DJ at Lapworth store is a top chap and will make sure the shop is stocked with what you need
• Supermarket: Locals get Ocado and Riverford Organic deliveries
• Pubs: Tom O' The Wood is the pub of all pubs
• Walks: Miles and miles of canals and footpaths.
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